Since arriving in the national rankings barely more than a week ago, Elon has gone 1-2 and given up a total of 10 goals in those games.

Elon (9-4-1 overall, 3-2 Southern Conference) rebounded from a two-goal deficit when Chris Thomas, who’s the leading scorer nationally in Division I this year, tallied a pair of penalty-kick goals within a two-minute span in the first half.

Eight minutes later, College of Charleston (7-8, 3-1) had the lead again when Connor Coons converted after Elon twice failed to head the ball out of danger following Cougars goalkeeper Kees Heemskerk’s free kick into the box. It was Coons’ first goal of the season.

College of Charleston scored its first goal when the ball popped out of a cluster of players (that included Elon goalkeeper Nathan Dean) and Luke Huggett was there to deposit it into the net. The next goal came off a free kick, with Elon defender Nick Butterly’s header resulting in an own goal.

Elon is amid a cluster of teams vying for league honors, so each goal is magnified.

“Every game is such a fine line whoever we play,” Powell said. “So much parity in the league.”

The scoreless second half wasn’t without changes for the Phoenix.

“Absolutely, some good looks at the goal,” Powell said.

None of the opportunities panned out for Elon, which is 3-3-1 at home.

“Being down a goal, especially at home, almost puts a little more pressure on you,” Latigue said.

Thomas, who has 19 goals this season, posted a game-high four shots on goal.

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